Yes, Virginia, that likely means McDonald’s Happy Meal toys will be difficult to find in San Francisco as of December 1.

The city’s Board of Supervisors passed the law 8-3, which means it can’t be vetoed by the mayor, Gavin Newsom, who had promised to do so. Nearby Santa Clara County also has a similar ordinance.

Now in San Francisco, if a restaurant wants to give away a free toy with a children’s meal, that meal must be “less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables, and include beverages without excessive fat or sugar.”

McDonald’s Corp, needless to say, is not happy with the law.

“We are extremely disappointed with today’s decision. It’s not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for,” said McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud.

On the other side are the law’s supporters, who cite high obesity rates of children (particularly children of color) in San Francisco as the impetus behind the provision.

“This is a challenge to the restaurant industry to think about children’s health first and join the wide range of local restaurants that have already made this commitment,” said San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, who backed the law.

Hey, you guys who wring your hands and decide that if nobody else fixes fat, then it’s fine for big brother to fix it. That, my friends, is a very dangerous road to start down. Steve Chapman, although I often disagree with him, is dead right on this issue. You can regulate my drinking and driving and place sin taxes on tobacco, but the governement’s responsibility for food ENDS at making sure the label is accurate and the food supply is safe from bacteria and contaminants.

I shudder to think where well meaning but fascist food police will end once they are allowed to begin. They already have much too power in the school lunchroom.

Meanwhile, I have a wish list. Ban HFCS. Ban processed food with more that five ingredients. Require ice cream to contain cream. Ditto for sour cream. Don’ allow beer to be consumed if it is brewed more than 30 mile away. Ban inhumane raising of (fill in the blank).